A key match in the final round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament is set for overnight from Thursday to Friday at Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatemala. The home team will face El Salvador. Here’s a betting tip with promising odds for this matchup.
Match Preview
The Guatemala national team enters this crucial stage of qualification with confidence, despite a recent loss to Jamaica. Under coach Luis Fernando Tena, they have shown strong teamwork and organization, making them serious contenders for a World Cup spot. Their solid defense has been notable, conceding only two goals at home while scoring ten in the qualifiers.
Reaching the semifinals of the Gold Cup this summer has boosted the ambitions of “La Bicolor.” Goalkeeper Nicolás Hagen has been reliable, and Óscar Santis has already scored three goals in the previous round. Guatemala has not lost a home qualifier in nearly a decade and feels particularly strong against neighboring teams.
El Salvador made it to the third round after a draw with Suriname in their last group match, managing to stay ahead of Puerto Rico by just one point. However, under Hernán Gómez, the team has yet to demonstrate significant improvement, despite his extensive experience, including leading three different national teams to the World Cup. They have not won in their last four matches across all competitions and were scoreless in three of those games.
Offensive struggles are a major concern for “La Selecta.” Although Bryan Gil scored twice in the previous round, the team generally lacks creativity and relies too much on individual efforts. Historically, El Salvador has struggled in away matches, having lost five of seven road games in the last round of the 2022 World Cup qualifying.
Probable Line-ups
- Guatemala: Hagen; Herrera, Pinto, Samayoa, Morales; Saravia, Rosales; Santis, Altán, Lom; Rubin
- El Salvador: González; Valladares, J. Romero, Cibrián, Tamacas; Cerén; Pérez, Díaz, Osorio, Landaverde; Gil
Match Facts and Head-to-Head
- Guatemala has won their last three matches against El Salvador, including a 3-0 victory in the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League.
- El Salvador hasn’t won in Guatemala since 2006.
- Guatemala is unbeaten at home in World Cup qualifiers since 2015.
Prediction
Guatemala has been strong at home and continues to improve under Tena, while El Salvador is facing difficulties with their attack. A comfortable home win is expected—our prediction is “Guatemala to win” with odds of 1.80.
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